Camp Summary

It was an an epic first day of Kani-Karrung in Ballarat, topped off with a spectacular Opening Ceremony to remember!

Throughout the day, 21 additional buses arrived full of girls eager to start the camping experience. Others were dropped off nearby and formed a series of "walking buses" that arrived at camp on foot escorted by a dog in Guide uniform.  Luggage was transported, tents set up, girls registered and gazebos decorated in subcamp colours.

The rest of the day included a wide-game with all campers, information sessions within subcamps and a roast dinner.

The opening ceremony incorporated a special Welcome to Country  by Waddawarung Elder Ash and an address from Girl Guides Victoria State Commissioner Linda Kors and Rosemary Derwin, Chief Commissioner Girl Guides Australia.  Rosemary provided the definition of jamboree as "a crowd of people having a good time" and acknowledged that jamborees are one of things that Girl Guides do together.

Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson welcomed everybody to Ballarat and encouraged the girls to say yes to all opportunities offered at the Jamboree to ensure maximum enjoyment.

He said that contrary to what the public understood about the scheduled fireworks (as the finale to the Summer Sundays concert in the Botanical Gardens) that they had really been organised to coincide with the Girl Guide Jamboree

Jess and Charlotte hosted the ceremony that included the presentation of state flags, a subcamp roundup, singing and dancing.

All finished off with a firework display from Lake Wendouree that extended way behind the heights of the trees at Victoria Park.